Our beauty blogger, Catherine McCurry, looks at the importance of exfoliating…
USING exfoliators is one of the most important part of your beauty and skin care regime and it’s a great technique to resolving skin problems as well as getting that all-over healthy, glowing skin.
The purpose behind exfoliation is the removal of surface dry skin cells.
It leaves skin feeling buffed, smooth and fresh and is great for prepping for tanning as it helps give an even, streak-free fake tan.
It’s recommended to exfoliate your skin two or three times a week but try to keep it to a minimum as it can be fairly harsh on certain skin types.
A simple test to establish if you have dry skin cells on your skin is by taking a piece of clear tape and apply it to your forehead.
Rub it gently and remove and if there are little pieces of flaky skin, then you know you need to exfoliate.
The Body Shop has a great range of scrubs with all different types of scents. I love The Body Shop exfoliators and moisturisers and the two combined leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. Their products have always been very popular in my house as my two sisters and Mum would be fans and they always make an appearance in our Christmas stockings.
Their best selling product is my favourite. It’s the Cocoa Body Scrub and I love everything about it. The organic virgin coconut oil has a gorgeous scent that lasts all day and is great for getting rid of dead skin cells and works deep into the skin. It’s always my go-to exfoliator.
Another scrub which has good reviews is the Africa Ximenia & Salt Scrub, which is a salt scrub inspired by African tribal spa rituals. It’s priced at £15 while the coconut scrub is £12.50. I’m also a big fan of Soap and Glory exfoliators which come in sizeable tubs and last for months.
I use the Flake Away which contains shea butter, almond oil and sea salt and use this product on my legs and is priced at £7.50.
They also stock the Sugar Crush scrub which is great for dry prone areas such as elbows and knees.
Another great exfoliator are the Origins Ginger Body Scrub, skin-scouring Dead Sea Salts and warming Ginger Zest which helps to remove all traces of roughness.
Finally, one of the best body scrubs available is the Laura Mercier range. Particularly, their Crème Brûlée Sugar Scrub, which contains sugar granules and has a rich essence of caramel and white musk. It comes in a huge tub and is priced at £37.
Exfoliators can be used on almost every skin type, but remember not to use it on skin which has been recently sunburnt, waxed, or on open wounds.
